Support for abortion cooling-off period: Survey

Published: 17 September 2007

A survey has found that most Australians believe there should be a
compulsory cooling-off period before proceeding with an abortion.

The Australian
reports more than half the survey respondents thought doctors should
show the stage of fetal development to patients before a decision is
made. This should be done using models, pictures or ultrasound.

The
findings come from privately funded studies conducted from 2004 to 2006
by the Sexton Marketing Group. They are published in a new book, Common Ground: Seeking an Australian consensus on abortion and sex education .

The
book is edited by Campion College Sydney President Fr John Fleming
(pictured), together with bioethicist Nicholas Tonti-Filippini. They
argue the debate over abortion, embryonic stem cell research and the
abortion drug RU486 does not reflect the feelings in the community.

Dr
Fleming said: "Their attitudes to abortion are far more complex and
nuanced.. The need is for a change in social policy, not to make
abortion more or less difficult."

He said Australians are both
pro-choice and anti-abortion. One survey, conducted across a sample of
1200 people, found that although 83 per cent supported a woman's right
to choose an abortion, 88 per cent agreed it would be good to reduce
the current rate.

So although tighter abortion laws were
comprehensively rejected, participants were concerned to learn there
were up to 90,000 abortions a year.

In another story, SUR
reports that a Spanish woman has been the first mother in Europe to
undergo open foetal surgery to prevent spina bifida

The 36 year
old Malaga woman, María José, said just 36 hours after giving birth
last week by Caesarean to baby María: "They suggested having an
abortion, but I ruled that out immediately because I'm a Catholic",